HI everyone, I have wonderful news. The Drew Rating is back!! My man made metric to measure every and all football team is back to explain who’s good and who’s not. Remember my rating is based of these factors, point differential, third down conversion rate, yards per play, very small measure on special teams (field goal rate, net punting), and lastly turnover differential. Helps me make my rankings so hopefully you don’t hate me too much. I still use manolytics, not just analytics, I’m not Brandon Staley, anyways enjoy the rankings and have a great day!!
32. Steelers 1-4 (Proj Record 1-4, Drew Rating: -17.49) LW: 29
I never thought my good friend Mike Tomlin could ever stoop so low but here we are. It just takes some key defensive injuries and Mitch Trubisky and you end up at the bottom of the todem pole. No worries Kenny Pickett is in to save the day. His first start they only lost 38-3 so it’s going to only be up from here Steelers fans. I think that .500 or better streak for our buddy Michael will end.
31. Commanders 1-4 (Proj Record 1-4, Drew Rating: -13.21) LW: 31
Ron Rivera has been through too much in his life to deal with what he is right now. I think he’s a good coach but you can tell he’s ready to play golf or travel or whatever hobby he likes to do. If they lose to the Bears on Thursday (especially embarrassingly) he’s going to get his wish by Friday morning. Do not blame Carson Wentz for all your problems, I think you have to look up at the owners box here.
30. Panthers 1-4 (Proj Record 1-4, Drew Rating: -12.75) LW: 30
Matt Rhule is the answer to all of the gambling degenerates who like to wager money on which head coach is going to lose their job first. First off anyone who gambles on someone losing their employment is just a degenerate in general. Any Cards fan will say you want to get the first pick in next year’s draft? Well promote Steve Wilks to be the next man in charge and that will do it for you.
29. Lions 1-4 (Proj Record 1-4, Drew Rating: -12.04) LW: 26
I have to officially quit supporting my Lions. They literally can’t play outdoors or on the road. The Jared Goff/Dan Campbell combo are now 0-10 on the road since they both arrived in the motor city. Plus they were averaging 35 points a game playing their first four games indoors. Now they go outside to sunny foxboro and they put up well let me see, ZERO!!! Yeah wake me up when this team wins a roadi.
28. Texans 1-3 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -6.84) LW: 32
I have to tip my cap to Lovie Smith so far. This might be the least talented roster in all of football but the Texans have had an opportunity in every game they have played thus far. They would be undefeated against the spread too if it wasn’t for a late Austin Ekeler touchdown in Week 4 that I may or may not be disgruntled about. Davis Mills can win you some games if you get more talent.
27. Raiders 1-4 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -2.04) LW: 22
I’ll stand by what I said last week. This team is probably going to get back into the hunt and win around 8-9 this season. But for right now they are 1-4 and a wise man once said (Bill Parcells) that you are what your record says you are and these Raiders are 1-4 with a point differential better than a team that is two games above them in their own division. Accept your apology DeVante, still good dude
26. Rams 2-3 (Proj Record 1-4, Drew Rating: -12.72) LW: 12
Yes I’m dropping the Rams 14 spots and I will say why they should be ranked so low and it’s not even debatable. The Steelers are the only other team that has been outplayed in every game so far this year. The only game you could argue maybe the Rams outplayed their opponent was their Week 3 win over their sons in Arizona. But even in that game the Cards dominated every stat, problems here.
25. Bears 2-3 (Proj Record 1-4, Drew Rating: -10.21) LW: 28
I have to give Matt Eberfleus and this team the credit they deserve. The Bears are a fatally flawed team. But they appear well coached and play their asses off. That alone might be enough to get this team to 7 or so wins and stay out of the basement of this division. I still do not know how they almost came back from a 21-3 deficit in Minnesota but strange things happen when Captain Kirk is involved.
24. Cardinals 2-3 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -8.23) LW: 15
There is talent here and maybe the Cardinals get it going when DeAndre Hopkins comes back but the slow starts and poor metrics show this team overall even though it has potential to be a good team has not been a good team thus far. As I have said in my Cardinals podcast Kliff Kingsbury needs to get Kyler Murray on the move earlier in games, now whether he’s smart enough to do so?
23. Falcons 2-3 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -4.42) LW: 20
This is just a damn fun team to watch play football. They are a scrappy bunch and have covered every game thus far. I’m sure cynical Falcons fans (which I’m sure is about all of you) are shaking your head in disbelief that Tom Brady got a lucky break to beat your team last week. I know this is an overreaction by officials on the Tua situation but this is tackle football we are playing, it’s dangerous.
22. Seahawks 2-3 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -2.98) LW: 21
Wasn’t this supposed to be the worst offense in football not the best. The Hawks are averaging 6.7 yards per play, best in league, getting more big plays than any team outside of Philly so far this season. The Hawks with their two fast running backs and Tyler Lockett who is the most underrated deep threat in football have homerun potential. Just don’t see it long term with Geno Smith.
21. Colts 2-2 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -6.23) LW: 25
I think the world thinks the Colts are a bad football team because what they saw on Thursday night in Denver. I will say this, the Colts are in the right division. The Titans are just as unwatchable as the Colts and Jags are too inconsistent. What does that mean? We might be able to bet against a washed up Matt Ryan in wildcard weekend. Expert gamblers will be dreaming of this for next few month
20. Saints 2-3 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -2.68) LW: 23
The Saints have a lot of talent on both sides of the football but I’ll be honest here. Especially the last two weeks my question is what is the deal with this defense. They have blue chippers on every level but they give up way too many big plays. This is supposed to be Dennis Allen’s specialty. With the limitations at Quarterback if they don’t figure out the D they will be 2-5 in 8 days and season is done.
19. Patriots 2-3 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -0.84) LW: 27
For as boring as this team is this is certainly a team the Bill Belichick loves. The schedule is also Charmin toilet paper soft over next few weeks is there a world where Billy’s Patties are 6-3 at the midway point and everyone is shaking their head on how is the evil empire right there in the playoff hunt again? We hope not but just prepare for a world where nightmares become reality, Zappe time!
18. Broncos 2-3 (Proj Record 3-2. Drew Rating: 1.47) LW: 19
We are all ripping Nathaniel Hackett and Russell Wilson right now but after I did the ratings I was impressed with the defensive metrics and the fact that the offense is not as bad as we think. This is a red zone issue. This team is brutally awful in the red zone and was shown again on Thursday night when they were in the red zone five times (5!!) and came away with zero touchdowns, fixable? Maybe.
17. Browns 2-3 (Proj Record 3-2, Drew Rating: 2.85) LW: 18
Here is how the Brownies lost their three games. They let the Jets score 14 points in the final 90 seconds when the first score was on a defensive brain fart. Jacoby Brisett took a terrible sack and then threw a desperation int to lose by three to Atlanta. Then Brisett throws the worst red zone pick I’ve ever seen/kicker misses two kicks after the Chargers tried to give the Browns the game back.
16. Bengals 2-3 (Proj Record 3-2, Drew Rating: 6.23) LW: 10
Zach Taylor got outcoached by John Harbaugh and probably also by Mike Tomlin which is the big problem in Cincinnati. They have the third or maybe even the 4th best coach in the division. Now how they could counter it and win a lot of games this season still is by having arguably (very arguably) the best quarterback and roster in division. But the late game coaching issues is a problem right now.
15. Jaguars 2-3 (Proj Record 3-2, Drew Rating: 7.39) LW: 13
I could drop the Jags a ton after losing to the Texans but the eye test shows me this is still the most improved team in the league from last season. The big question a it’s a big one is can this team win close games and be buttoned up situationally. This is the reason why the Jags lost two close games to teams I think they are better than (Texans, Commanders), should be around in south all year still
14. Dolphins 3-2 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -8.06) LW: 5
You might be stuck with some dude named Skylar at Quarterback for the near future, ouch. After beating the Bills in a thrilling game in the South beach heat it’s been a road nightmare for the Phins over the past couple of weeks. What appeared after 3 weeks to be a serious contender now could be in last place in a few weeks if Tua/Teddy are both out for extended periods of time, life in the NFL.
13. Chargers 3-2 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -4.10) LW: 14
Let me start by saying that this team SHOULD with Justin Herbert make the playoffs this season as a 10 win team. Now the should is in serious question because of their health but more importantly because of their head coach. You need to have a feel for the game Brandon Staley. Jacoby Brisett just threw a horrendous confidence shattering int and your going to help him out because of your book
12. Jets 3-2 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -3.83) LW: 24
I cannot believe I am putting this team this high but Joe Douglas has done a fantastic job of drafting. There are young cheap blue chippers on both sides of the ball. Breece Hall already looks like a top ten running back in the league (watch him play, he’s amazing), they are fast and physical on both sides of the ball. Now if you can get your young QB to leave mom alone in the stands, future is now.
11. Titans 3-2 (Proj Record 2-3, Drew Rating: -6.18) LW: 17
It never looks pretty in Tennessee and after they got embarrassed in front of the whole country by the Bills I thought this team was going to win 5 games. They do not look dynamic at all but they are so well coached they will find ways to beat you every week because, 1. They know what they are and what they are not and 2. They will be great in big spots, that might again win this division.
10. Packers 3-2 (Proj Record 3-2, Drew Rating: 2.30) LW: 4
Pack are lucky I do not drop them further. That was more than a disappointing loss on Sunday in London. The Giants had almost no healthy receivers yet you couldn’t stop them in the second half. The more concerning thing for me was that Matt LeFleur (who did win 39 games in his first three years in GB) was thoroughly outcoached to the point I feel sorry for his family. Not a Super Bowl contender.
9. Bucs 3-2 (Proj Record 3-2, Drew Rating: 6.23) LW: 6
Why should I rate this team higher? Because they have Tom Brady? Yeah I’m going to be a little critical of Tom Brady’s team and if I get a roughing the passer penalty so be it. This team does not look that good to me. They have every right to lose to a game Falcons team on Sunday and got bailed out by the Zebras. Now they are getting bailed out by playing Steelers at best time, god loves his child.
8. Ravens 3-2 (Proj Record 4-1, Drew Rating: 10.08) LW: 8
This team certainly could and arguably should be 5-0 so far this season. They blew a 21 and 17 point lead respectably in both of their losses. I think my Lamar Jackson MVP talk can simmer now but this team will get healthier and when they do with a much better than expected pass catching core I don’t see a real weakness here. If they beat a very tough Giants team on Sunday could go on a run here.
7. 49ers 3-2 (Proj Record 4-1, Drew Rating: 18.79) LW: 7
The defense is awesome and the dynamic playmakers on offense is awesome. You could argue if they had say Tom Brady this team would be pretty damn near unbeatable. Not a knock on Jimmy Garoppolo as I know his looks makes him more impossible to stare at than the sun. But he is limited as a thrower even though very underrated as quarterback. DUDE WINS GAMES, stop hating critics.
6. Giants 4-1 (Proj Record 3-2, Drew Rating: 2.91) LW: 16
Has Brian Daboll already received his coach of the year plaque yet? That was an absolute playcalling/coaching clinic in their signature win across the pond over a slightly overrated Packers team on Sunday. I do not think the Giants are going to win this division. I do not even know if the Giants will make the playoffs. But they found their coach and I don’t saw these things lightly, Daboll is a good find.
5. Vikings 4-1 (Proj Record 3-2, Drew Rating: 2.94) LW: 11
Fine I’ll move Vikes into the top 5. I do not think they are the 5th best team in the league but I have to give credit where credit is due. Kirk Cousins has been money in late game situations this year and this team has very strong chance to win their division because of this. My concern is the defense though. This defense was a top ten unit for years and now you and I could run it down their throats.
4. Cowboys 4-1 (Proj Record 3-2, Drew Rating: 7.64) LW: 9
The Cowboys are where they should right now with that defense. They have given up 5 touchdowns in 5 games (as in literally 1 every game) which is elite, especially in this offensive era. I am hearing that Dak Prescott may return this week and if he does do not try to bench him media if they lose and most importantly let your team be defensive driven. Do not throw it 40 times with your 40 mil QB.
3. Chiefs 4-1 (Proj Record 4-1, Drew Rating: 12.67) LW: 2
This Chiefs offense is awesome still, here is the stat this is so telling to me. 3rd down conversion rate, 2017 with Alex Smith they were 39 percent (middle of the pack), once Mahomes came to town elite, 2018: 47 percent, 2019: 48 percent, 2020: 49 percent, 2021: 52 percent, 2022: 53 percent. Mahomes is like a fine wine he just continues to just get better and better, can’t get these guys off the field.
2. Bills 4-1 (Proj Record 5-0, Drew Rating: 32.44) LW: 3
Not just the eye test but just like last year metrically the Bills are the best team in football and it’s not even close. This is why (even why I’m still stupidfyed by this) the Bills are a 3 point ROAD favorite in Kansas City this week. The story here is not just the ascent to elite by Josh Allen but this defense is ridiculous. How about 7 second half points allowed and 4 yards per play allowed, just nasty.
1.Eagles 5-0 (Proj Record 4-1, Drew Rating: 19.04) LW: 1
I have been ripping Nick Sirianni for some questionable coaching decisions over his first couple of seasons in Philadelphia but I think he did a really good job on Sunday of clock and game management in a big win in Arizona. This team has a ton of talent especially in the trenches but what I wanted to see is if they could win a close game against a talented team and they proved that on Sunday. If they beat the Cowboys this Sunday night I think it’s near a lock for the Eagles to be the overall number one seed in the NFC. It’s early but look at their schedule. This is probably a 13-4 or 14-3 team and that sharps pick on Philly as the NFC one seed was a smart one indeed.